Itinerary
The following is a tentative agenda and has been designed with much thought to capitalize on the most scenic and exciting parts of the river, while making time on other sections. Your guides will adjust the schedule to make the best use of river and weather conditions.
Trip length: 13 river days
Meals included:Breakfast = B | Lunch = L | Dinner = D
Day 0 WHITEHORSE, YUKON
Your journey north will be a refreshing departure from everyday life. You’ll fly over the largest expanse of wilderness in the world, pass through quieter airports, meet friendlier service personnel, and generally begin to immerse yourself in the wilderness experience that is about to unfold.
Please be in Whitehorse in time for an orientation meeting at the meeting point confirmed in your Welcome Aboard package at 8 p.m. Participants are responsible for hotels and meals while in Whitehorse.
Whitehorse is a great place to spend a few extra days. We’ll send you a visitor’s guide. The historic sites are fascinating and there are local day hikes, gold panning float trips through Miles Canyon, 4×4 outings in the region. And countless other things to see and do.
Day 1 (L/D) MOUNTAIN FLIGHT
We’ll meet in the hotel lobby at 7:30 a.m. following breakfast (not included) to discuss final details before our departure. Travelling by van, we’ll make the scenic 5-hour drive to the town of Mayo. Here we will transfer to a floatplane and fly 217 kilometres (135 miles) into McClusky Lake. This is truly a spectacular and remote part of the Yukon wilderness! Have your camera handy for the flight.
Day 2 (B/L/D) MCCLUSKY CREEK
Unwinding from the days of travel, we’ll review paddling skills on the beautiful lake bordered on all sides by majestic peaks and arctic grayling breaking the surface. After a short portage, afternoon will find us lining, wading and paddling McClusky Creek to the junction with the Wind River. Neoprene booties with tough soles or sneakers will pay off here. Camp will be in the area of Nash Creek.
Day 3 (B/L/D) FLOOD RIVER
Tight bends in the river with lots of sweepers will test your river skills. The Wind is a relatively wide mountain valley allowing “big sky” views along with the burnished grey mountains peaks unique to the range. Today’s paddle will be a good chance to spot caribou, sheep and grizzly. Camp will be downstream of Bond Creek.
Day 4 (B/L/D) HIKING
Once again, the easy ridges in the area will lure us on a day hike with tremendous views, wildlife and alpine flowers.
Day 5 (B/L/D) BEAR CREEK
This stretch is one of the visual highlights. Continuing downstream past Bear Creek we’ll enjoy majestic views of Royal Mountain.
Day 6 (B/L/D) ROYAL MOUNTAIN
Our paddling is rewarded by another day of ridge tops and alpine skylines that stretch across the horizon overlooking Royal Mountain and Royal Creek. Keen eyes will spot Dall sheep among the crags.
Day 7/8 (B/L/D) ILLTYD RANGE
Back on the river the swift moving water will sweep us past the tail of the chain of mountains we’ve been travelling through. Individual peaks will continue to dominate the horizon. Moose sightings are possible and camp will be upstream of Prongs Creek with views of the Illtyd Range.
Day 9 (B/L/D) LOST PATROL
Paddling towards Mount Deslauriers, we’ll pass Little Wind River of the Lost Patrol Fame (a definite campfire story!) Camp will be in view of Mount Deception near Hungry Creek.
Day 10 (B/L/D) MOUNT DECEPTION
A spectacular ridge walk on Mount Deception will reward us with views north to the Richardson Mountains (weather permitting).
Day 11 (B/L/D) WIND CITY HISTORY
The strong current will accompany us to our camp on the Lower Wind. Higher cliffs cut by numerous small creeks provide numerous wildlife corridors. Here we’ll be in the vicinity of Wind City. No longer in existence, it was the wintering place of an ill- fated group of gold seekers on route to the Klondike in 1898.
Day 12 (B/L/D) PEEL & BONNET PLUME RIVERS
Arriving at the Peel River, we’ll pass the confluence with the Bonnet Plume. The Peel River Canyon will be a highlight with spectacular vertical walls and standing waves of Class II and III whitewater. Camp will be approximately 70 kilometres (45 miles) downstream of the canyon at Taco Bar.
Day 13 (B/L) FLOAT PLANE
In the morning we’ll be met by the aircraft that will takeus back to Mayo. There we’ll be met by our van and travel the Klondike Highway back to Whitehorse. Depending on timing, the group may decide to stop for supper at a diner along the way or upon arrival in Whitehorse (supper and hotel not included). Camp will be in your hotel room in Whitehorse (your responsibility). If you have not eaten on the road, the group will likely want to gather at a local eatery (not included) to celebrate the return and recount tales of the adventure!
Day 14 HOMEWARD BOUND
After goodbyes and a last look around Whitehorse we’ll head home with a cargo of fond memories and lots of pictures of our river adventure.
